Description: This spider crab has a pear-shaped carapace and grows up to a length of 10 cm and a width of 8 cm. The reddish-brown carapace may have some tubercles and is often covered in encrusting animals. Pincers are shorter than walking legs. Some hairs present on carapace and limbs. Points of rostrum close-set.

Habitat: On hard and sandy substrata from lower shore to depths of 50 m, rare records exist for depths up to 350 m.

Distribution: Recorded from all coasts around Britain and Ireland.

Similar Species: Could be confused with Hyas coarctatus, although H. coarctatus is smaller in size, has slightly longer points on rostrum and its pincers are longer.

Key Identification Features:

• Pear-shaped carapace up to 10 cm long.
• Red-brown colouration but often covered in encrusting animals.
• Pincers shorter than walking legs.
• Points of rostrum very close-set.

Distribution Map from NBN: Hyas araneus at National Biodiversity Network mapping facility, data for UK.

iNaturalist: Hyas araneus at iNaturalist World Species Observations database.

WoRMS: Hyas araneus at World Register of Marine Species. Accepted name: Hyas araneus (Linnaeus, 1758). AphiaID: 107322.

Classification: Biota; Animalia; Arthropoda; Crustacea; Multicrustacea; Malacostraca; Eumalacostraca; Eucarida; Decapoda; Pleocyemata; Brachyura; Eubrachyura; Heterotremata; Majoidea; Oregoniidae; Oregoniinae; Hyas